KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 - The Association of South-East Asian Nations' (Asean) open sky policy is set to benefit the sector as well as the travellers.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director, Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad, said Asean could not emulate the open sky agreement between the European Union and the US."Although we cannot emulate them, we can open up among ourselves on a consensus basis," he told reporters at the 14th World Route Development Forum (Routes KL 2008) here today.

The forum, hosted by MAHB, is attended by 2,500 delegates.Bashir said the Asean way would benefit the travellers.He said the bilateral air services agreement between Malaysia and Singapore has resulted in the growth in the traffic.

"When the government allows Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia Airways to fly here early this year, the market grew by 10 percent from 1.3 percent in 2006-2007," he said.

The Asean open sky policy will allow flights between capital cities in Asean without limitations.